Latest News

15th January 2007
Albert Kennedy Trust appoints new Chief Executive

AKT is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Sigsworth as its new Chief Executive. Tim has joined AKT from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation in Manchester.

Following 8 years as a social worker specialising in adult and young people’s mental health within residential settings, Tim joined the LGF in 1999. As Head of Mental Health Services he further developed and established a range of services to meet the mental health needs of LGBT people across Greater Manchester. For the past 5 years as part of the senior team at the LGF, as the Director of Operations and then as Director of Fundraising and Business Development, he has helped consolidate and grow the organisation into the countries largest LGB Charity. His time at the LGF provided the opportunity to develop a well rounded background in both operational and strategic management in the third sector and also work at a national and regional level to effect change in health and social policy and legislation.

Tim is also a (soon to be) graduate of CASS Business School (City of London University) where he studied Charity Marketing and Fundraising.

Commenting on his appointment, Tim Sigsworth said “The Albert Kennedy Trust is a unique and nationally significant charity with the potential to lead the way in best practice for supporting and advising young LGBT people. This role offers me the perfect opportunity to bring together my professional and personal drive and ambition to see the LGBT voluntary sector and the needs of the LGBT community recognised and met.”

Tim replaces Richard McKendrick who left AKT at the end of 2006 after three years in post to take up a new role as Director of Operations at Addaction.

AKT Chair of Trustees, Nick Dearden said of Tim’s appointment : “ We are delighted to welcome Tim as our new Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of experience in the LGBT sector and social care as well as a real commitment to the issues facing young LGBT people who are homeless. He arrives at an exciting time for the trust but also a challenging one.”

Nick continues: “I would also like to thank Richard for all his hard work over the past three years and wish him every success in his new role at Addaction.”

5th January 2007
Ian McKellen becomes the Albert Kennedy Trust’s new patron

The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) is delighted to announce that Ian McKellen has become a patron of the charity that works with and supports LGBT teenagers who find themselves homeless or with accommodation problems. One of Britain’s best loved actors, Ian McKellen is famous for film roles including The Lord of the Rings and X-Men trilogies. He also has an illustrious career in theatre and television over 50 years. Ian was a founder member of Stonewall and has been a prominent campaigner on LGBT issues for many years. He was knighted in 1991.

Commenting on his new role, Ian McKellen said : “I have been an admiring supporter of the Albert Kennedy Trust, ever since I met its staff in Manchester in 1988. I am delighted now to become one of its patrons. All LGBT young people have the right to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes. The relevance of AKT, and the positive service it provides, is as great now as it ever has been. I urge those of you who are able, to join me in supporting the Trust in every way you can, particularly at this time of great need.”

AKT Chair of Trustees, Nick Dearden said of the appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Ian on board as a patron of AKT. He brings immense talent and experience as well as a real commitment to the issues facing young LGBT people who are homeless. Indeed, Ian has already made a major contribution by heading up our 2006 Christmas Campaign – which has raised £6,000 in much needed funds in just a few days.”

11th July 2006
IS YOUR MP SIGNED UP?

Dianne Abbott MP submitted a motion to the House of Commons supporting the work of The Albert Kennedy Trust and to mark the 16 years of our work with the young people from the LGBT homeless community.

To find the full text of the motion and a list of MP's that have signed up to the motion visit:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/

To find out who and how you contact you local Member of Parliament (MP) visit:
http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alcm.cfm

and cut and paste the following text into you email or letter:
Please would you as a matter of urgency would you look at the Early Day Motions 2245 - 16th ANNIVERSARY OF ALBERT KENNEDY TRUST this is a unique LGBT organisation working with some of most vulnerable young people in my community and I would appreciate if you would consider signing your name to the motion.
Note: Ministers, whips and parliamentary private secretaries do not usually sign EDMs and the Speaker and deputy Speakers will not sign EDMs.

For a copy of the Press Release click here.

22nd June 2006
Brighton Research

Co-funded by AKT colleagues in Brighton & Hove have just published research into the needs and experiences of LGBT homeless youth in Brighton & Hove. For the full report:
http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org/outonmyown/

20th June 2006
The Albert Kennedy Trust Celebrates 16 years of being a Trust!

This evening Lord Alli hosted a celebratory event at the House of Lords for the 16th anniversary of AKT being a Trust. The event was attended by a host of LGBT business people, celebrities, artists and authors as a way of raising the Trust’s profile and gaining increased support.

11th May 2006
The Albert Kennedy Trust forced to pull out of Brighton & Hove

AKT announces its formal withdrawal from providing services in Brighton & Hove due to lack of funding and support.

For a copy of the Press Release click here.

31st January 2006
Albert’s Birthday

Today Albert would have been 33 years old. Celebrate the life he may have had and become a supporter of the work of AKT.

14th January 2006
Annual General Meeting

Attended by staff, trustees and volunteers today’s AGM was a short but sweet affair. Going into 2006 we now have 10 new trustees who have joined us over the last couple of months bringing our total to a Board of 12.

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Notes to Editors

• The Trust is a registered charity (reg. no. 1093815)
• It was founded in 1989
• It is named after a gay teenager in care who died on the streets of Manchester in 1989 at the age of 16
• The Trust supports self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people up to the age of 21 or 25 by providing supported lodgings, mentoring, information & advice.
• In partnership with Social Services the Trust can support under 16's.
• The charity employs a qualified social worker in each office to make and support all placements
• The Trust can put you in touch with current lesbian and gay carers and young people who have been in its care. For policy reasons young people presently in care or receiving support, cannot be identified or photographed.